Louise Langellotto, 91, bookkeeper, defense worker

February 22, 2005

Louise Langellotto, a retired bookkeeper and World War II aircraft assembly worker who was a charter member of the Rosie the Riveter organization, died of pneumonia Feb. 15 at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The Highlandtown resident was 91.

Born Louise Muscillo in Lafferty, Ohio, she moved to Highlandtown's Eaton Street in 1930 after her marriage to Donato Langellotto, when he was transferred by Bethlehem Steel Corp. to its Sparrows Point pipe mill.

During the war, Mrs. Langellotto answered a call for women to work in defense industries. She became a tail-gun riveter on bombers for Eastern Aircraft in the Broening Highway General Motors plant. Family members said she dressed in a coveralls uniform and carried her lunch in a bucket.